Reach trucks and order pickers serve distinct roles in warehouses. Reach trucks specialize in lifting full pallets to high storage locations (12m+), using extendable forks and straddle legs for stability in narrow aisles. Order pickers prioritize piece-picking efficiency, featuring elevated platforms that let operators retrieve individual items at varying heights (up to 10m). While both use electric power, their design and workflows differ radically.
Reach Trucks vs Forklifts: Key Differences
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What defines a reach truck’s primary function?
Reach trucks excel in vertical pallet handling within 2m aisles. Their dual-front wheels and telescoping forks allow deep rack access. Operators remain grounded, unlike order pickers.
Built for transporting loaded pallets, reach trucks use counterbalance mechanics – 45° tilt masts and hydraulic fork extensions (up to 4m). For instance, a Raymond 8500 series can lift 1,500kg to 13m heights. Pro Tip: Always check lift height vs aisle width ratios – narrower aisles require higher maneuverability grades. However, why don’t they replace order pickers? Reach trucks lack safe operator lifting platforms, making individual item retrieval impractical. Aisles under 2.5m width often mandate reach trucks over standard forklifts.
| Feature | Reach Truck | Order Picker |
|---|---|---|
| Max Lift Height | 13m | 10m |
| Aisle Width | 1.8–2.3m | 2–2.7m |
| Load Capacity | 1,500–2,500kg | 500–1,000kg |
How do order pickers optimize piece handling?
Order pickers feature integrated work platforms elevating operators to shelf level. This enables direct item selection rather than full-pallet movement.
Operators ride up with the load, which dramatically reduces walk time in high-density storage zones. Crown’s WT 3000 series, for example, offers lift speeds of 0.3m/s and 800kg capacity. Transitioning from bulk to retail fulfillment? Order pickers become essential. But what about battery life? Most models use 24V or 36V systems supporting 6–8 hours runtime. Pro Tip: Prioritize models with height-adjustable control panels – wrist fatigue drops 40% during 8-hour shifts. Unlike reach trucks, order pickers often include clipboards or scanning stations on the platform.
What design elements differ structurally?
Reach trucks have straddle legs stabilizing loads, while order pickers use outriggers and platform gates for operator safety during vertical travel.
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Straddle legs on reach trucks extend beneath loads, creating a balanced triangle with the drive wheels. This allows handling heavier pallets in tighter spaces. Order pickers replace legs with retractable platform barriers and dual-load wheels. For example, Jungheinrich ETR 235 order pickers have 760mm wheelbases vs 1,100mm in comparable reach trucks. Pro Tip: Narrow-aisle warehouses should choose reach trucks with articulating masts – they reduce turning radii by 15%. However, both machine types require UL 583 safety certification for indoor operation.
| Component | Reach Truck | Order Picker |
|---|---|---|
| Stabilization | Straddle legs | Outriggers |
| Operator Position | Ground level | Elevated platform |
| Typical Voltage | 48V–80V | 24V–36V |
Which offers better maneuverability?
Reach trucks outperform in confined aisles due to shorter wheelbases and dual-front wheel steering. Order pickers prioritize platform stability over tight turns.
A Raymond reach truck can rotate 190° in a 1.8m aisle, whereas most order pickers need 2.1m for equivalent maneuvers. But why does this matter? In 90% of cold storage facilities, aisle widths are fixed post-construction. Pro Tip: Select order pickers with 360° rotating platforms if handling multi-directional racks. For extremely narrow aisles (<2m), reach trucks remain unmatched – their acceleration curves prevent pallet sway better than elevated platforms.
Redway Battery Expert Insight
FAQs
Limited capacity – most support 25–50% of reach truck loads. Use them for case picking, not bulk transport.
Are reach trucks faster than order pickers?
In horizontal transport: yes (16 km/h vs 8 km/h). Vertical speeds vary – reach trucks lift quicker but lack platform ascent systems.
Which requires more maintenance?
Reach trucks – their mast assemblies need quarterly inspections. Order pickers demand weekly platform gate checks per OSHA 1910.178.
Actual Cost of Forklift Batteries
